Viral Bagel Chain Moving Into East Bay’s Former Iconic Taco Bell
A buzzy East Coast bagel brand known for long lines and social media hype is headed to the East Bay.
PopUp Bagels plans to open its first Bay Area location this fall in Lafayette, taking over the former Taco Bell building at 3501 Mount Diablo Blvd. which is one of the region’s last remaining Mission-style Taco Bell structures.
The company started as a backyard pop-up in Connecticut in 2020 and quickly gained a following for its simple menu: whole bagels served with cream cheese or butter on the side for dipping. The brand leans into playful flavors like Old Bay, key lime pie and buffalo butter, along with a viral “grip, rip and dip” eating style that’s fueled its popularity online.
Backed by private equity investment, the chain has been expanding rapidly across the country and has announced plans for dozens of locations in California, with more Northern California outposts expected to be announced soon.
An opening date hasn’t been announced yet, but the Lafayette shop is expected to debut sometime in fall 2026.
Hat tip to the San Francisco Chronicle for the scoop.
